Greg McElroy names Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman as college football's top impact transfer in 2023

The transfer portal has completely changed how rosters are constructed in college football, allowing teams to pick up experienced players to fill gaps on the roster. Notre Dame did this by adding star quarterback Sam Hartman this offseason.

During an appearance on SportsCenter, college football analyst Greg McElroy explained why he thinks Hartman is going to end up being the most impactful transfer in college football this season.

“Well, Matt, he’s arguably the most accomplished transfer player in NCAA history with what he’s already accomplished in his five years at Wake Forest,” McElroy said. “It’s Sam Hartman who now heads to South Bend, Indiana to be the quarterback of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.”

During his time at Wake Forest, Sam Hartman became one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He led the Demon Deacons for five seasons, throwing for 12,967 yards and 110 touchdowns. He also ran for another 856 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“Here’s the thing about Sam Hartman, he’s already shattered records in the ACC. The guy’s thrown for 13,000 yards and 110 touchdowns, and if you think about where he’s at, he could enter all-time historical categories both in yards and touchdowns,” McElroy continued. “All he needs is 2,000 passing yards and 21 touchdowns to enter the top five all-time in each respective category.”

Since Ian Book, the program’s winningest quarterback, moved to the NFL, the quarterback position has been a revolving door at Notre Dame. Players like Jack Coan, Tyler Buchner, and Drew Pyne have all seen significant time at quarterback for the Irish.

“So, Notre Dame finally addresses their quarterback situation. It was a bit of an issue last year. It hasn’t been great in recent years since Ian Book’s departure,” McElroy said. “So, he can fill that void with hopefully an improved supporting cast around him at wide receiver.”

Expectations are high on Sam Hartman, who was recently added to the Davey O’Brien watchlist. Now, he is excited to try and live up to them.

Sam Hartman defined success at Notre Dame

There is a high standard to live up to at Notre Dame. Sam Hartman knows all about that standard and acknowledged it when talking about how he defines success for this season.

“I mean, I think first and foremost is just, again, getting back to where I felt I had the respect of the team at Wake, up at Notre Dame and I think it’s not to compare the two schools, it’s more of just each at each school you’re going to reach kind of the like, you know, the top of the mountain of leadership and respect on your team and I mean, I think something I always think about is just, you know, you have guys that play with you and you have guys to play for you,” Hartman said.

“And I think the No. 1 thing for me right now is get the team to play for me. And it helps in the offseason, it helps in the training to, you know, try and be out in front and trying to do the right things.”